Aidyn

Aidyn
Originally uploaded by SunFlowery.

Did you know that premature birth is the leading cause of new born death in the first month of life? It affects 1,305 babies a day in the United States. That`s 1 in every 8 babies born. Those who survive may have lifelong health problems. And premature births are on the rise -- up to 27% since 1981.

My great niece Aidyn was one of those babies. She was born at least 6 weeks early and weighed only 3 lbs. She spent a total of 16 days in the NICU undergoing phototherapy for jaundice and spent her days in an incubator to help her maintain her body temperature. Thankfully Aidyn is doing well now. She is home and is a beautiful, growing, 7 week old infant who now weighs more than 6 lbs!

Other babies aren`t as lucky as Aidyn and won`t survive or could have health problems that could last a lifetime. The funds we raise in WalkAmerica support research that help save babies` like my great niece.

That is why I am asking you to support me in March of Dimes WalkAmerica. Because premature birth can happen to any pregnant woman. In nearly half the cases, the causes are unknown. The March of Dimes is leading the way to find answers by supporting research into the causes of premature birth. I am joining the fight, and so can you.

Your support helps fund:
-Research into stress and other factors that may trigger preterm labor.
-Programs to educate pregnant women to recognize the warning signs of preterm labor.
-Tools to help health care providers find better ways to detect women who may be at risk for preterm labor.

Please join in and help fight prematurity. Visit my webpage and sponsor me in the Walk that saves babies! I am walking for Aidyn and babies like her. My personal web page address for donations is....
http://www.walkamerica.org/amiebea


Thank You!